Guess who hasn't updated in a long time!?
I don't know why I'm so awful at writing lately.  I think I'm just a lazy bastard. lol

Let's see...Abby is getting very big!  She is crawling relentlessly, pulling herself up to standing, and really talking a LOT.  And she's pretty much the cutest thing in the world right now!  It's going to be very interesting to see how she behaves when her little sister or brother is born.

That's right...We're pregnant again!  It was a little bit sooner than we had planned, but we're happy.  The new baby will be born around August 5, so we have a lot planning to do.

I'm a little over two months away from PCSing to Ft. Meade and joining the Field Band.  I'm really excited about it, and a bit nervous.  I don't want to get up there and do a poor job and have my bosses think they made the wrong choice.  I'm sure that's just natural with any new job, but it's still there!  

We're in the process of looking for houses in that area.  We got approved for a VA Loan and found a realtor.  We'll be meeting with her the second week of February and hopefully we can nail something down that we really like and can afford.

The week before that, though, I'll be going to Texas with the Jazz Band for a little tour.  I hope that we come together and put on some great shows.  Nothing worse than a bad Jazz concert! lol  I'm looking forward to it, but I'm sad to leave Erin alone for a week. 

This past Tuesday we traded in our 2003 Honda Civic for a brand spanking new 2009 Honda Accord.  It's blue and awesome... We really wanted to get the Odyssey, but the payments were just too high.  We had to haggle for a lower monthly payment, but we got it down to a respectable amount.  We were spoiled by my old payments cuz I got a KILLER deal on that car, but we'll make due.

So, from Tuesday through the next eight months, we have/will have a new:
1. President (woot!)
2. Car
3. House
4. Job
5. Baby

wow...that's a lot of change in a short amount of time!  But everything is very exciting and I look forward to see what else 2009 has in store for us!

I hope you're all doing well.  Rest assured that I have been keeping tabs on all of you.

Why do I feel like this??: okay

Michael Crichton died?!
This is a very sad day...
I loved his novels.  He has added a lot to our imaginations.
Your stories and memory will live on.

Rest in Peace, Michael

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081105/ap_en_ot/obit_crichton

Why do I feel like this??: sad

This really does not associate with my mood or anything.  I was listening to my iTunes while I was getting ready this morning and just was really moved by it. It's really the combination of the music and the lyrics, but the lyrics themselves are awesome.

Exit Music for a film by Radiohead


Wake from your sleep
The drying of your tears
Today we escape
We escape

Pack and get dressed
Before your father hears us
Before all hell breaks loose

Breathe, keep breathing
Don't lose your nerve
Breathe, keep breathing
I can't do this alone

Sing us a song
A song to keep us warm
There's such a chill
Such a chill

You can laugh
A spineless laugh
We hope your rules and wisdom choke you

Now we are one in everlasting peace

We hope that you choke, that you choke
We hope that you choke, that you choke
We hope that you choke, that you choke

Why do I feel like this??: contemplative

Well, it might be bigger than little.
I'll try to bring everyone up to speed on my life over the past few months!

Little Abigail is six months old now!
she's getting so big!  She's cut two teeth, she's babbling incessantly, and she's on the verge of crawling.
I'm more and more amazed by her everyday.

On August 29th, I finally got to go to a promotion board!
I was nervous as hell... I didn't know if I had studied nearly enough!
I was third to go, so the waiting KILLED me...
However, once I finally got in the room, it was ALL business.
CSM James asked me some facing movements then told me to sit down.  Said a few words and asked me to recite the Soldier's Creed.
I stood and belted that thing out loud and proud!  When I finished, CSM said "Man, Gunderson! I thought you were gonna crawl across this table and kill me!"
haha
Then he asked me if I knew the NCO Creed, which I said I did.
So I stood and recited it with one small glitch.
CSM then proceeded to "lecture" me on cutting my grass. HAHA 
That was funny.
And then it was OVER!
The board didn't ask me a SINGLE QUESTION...?!?! What?!
crazy

So, I leave to go back to the band hall.  I'm just sitting on my computer at work waiting until I have to go to PAC and take my promotion packet over.
In the mean time, I get an email from the US Army Field Band which contained a message inviting me to interview for the Assistant Librarian position there, which I had applied to earlier that week.
I was shocked! Two great things happened to me on the same day?! 
CRAZY!
so, Erin and I went out to dinner that night...alone!  Our friend Andrea watched Abby for us, and we had a lovely time, just sitting, talking, laughing, eating, and drinking a very nice Riesling.

SO...
Fast-forward to Tuesday.
I drive up to Ft. Meade, MD for the interview on Wednesday.
I get to the hotel that the Field Band put me up in...
NICE hotel!  It was a suite... I had a sitting room, a KITCHEN, the whole nine yards.
Well, I took it easy, watched some tv, read a little bit, got some dinner.
And of course, knowing that it would be a big day tomorrow, I went to bed early...
AND
DIDN'T
SLEEP!!
ACK!

Don't you hate that crap!?
Oh man, I just couldn't fall asleep! It was horrible.
so my alarm goes of Wednesday morning and I feel like CRAP.
But I get up, shower, eat some breakfast, and meet the other applicants at the front door so we can be driven to the interview.

There were only three of us accepted this far: a girl was from the Mannheim band and a guy from Ft. Riley.
So we get to the Field Band.
We get a mini-tour.
Then we take a WRITTEN test...ACK! I didn't know about that! I would've studied more! haha
but for the most part it was horrible.  Just some answers I didn't remember, no big deal, right?
heh...
I was nervous as crap...this was NOT a good sign... I should KNOW these answers.
Anyways, then we go into some scenarios...the librarian asked us things like "ok, so-and-so wants to borrow this piece..."
and so I asked her, "well, do we own the piece? is it in print? did someone here compose it?" yada yada yada.
and various other questions were asked... "who owns the copyright to 'Feliz Navidad?'" amongst others..
wow

then came the interviews!
we called in one by one.
I went last.
I was surrounded by five people who bombarded me with all sorts of questions...
"What do you think some of the short-comings of our library are?"
"Are you intimidated by rank?"
"What do you think about modularity in our field?"
"Explain your biggest challenge you had to overcome in the army."

man, it was brutal, but the were all great questions.

so, we all completed that and Sergeant Major Martin called us in to a side room.
He informed us that two people were advancing: SSG Miles...and myself.

Now we had to go through another interview...with the Commander of the Field Band, COL Palmatier.
zoinks!

So, SSG Miles went first.
was only in there about 3 minutes

Now it's my turn
I walk in
COL asked me one simple question: "Why do you want this job?"
So I told him about me experience and my passion and my commitment.
He said "you know there is no side door into my ensemble, right? You will not be a player...are you ok with that??"
and I of course said, "absolutely...I had resigned myself to that fate once, and I'm more than willing to do it again."

so I left the room.
the SGM came back and said "ok, let's go to lunch!"

UGH!!
I was mad!
making us wait like that!

so we went to a chinese buffet, a favorite of all Army Bandsmen. lol
and we chatted
and stewed!

got back to the field band and the SGM called the two remaining candidates into his office.
And he says "you should both be proud of yourselves so far; you're both great candidates for this position.  However, we've decided to extend the position to...SPC Gunderson."

*blink blink*

what?

excuse me?

You meant SSG Miles right?!

HOLY CRAP!
I'm going to be joining the FIELD BAND in about six months or so!!!
This is GREAT!

I was so pumped and excited I didn't know what to say!
I was told to go talk to CSM Keller, so I walked through a haze of disbelief and chatted with him for awhile.
I FINALLY got to leave and get back to my car at the hotel at 4pm so that I could call my nervous-as-hell wife, Erin, and tell her the news! She had been pacing back and forth all day, poor thing!

so...
yeah!
that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
I know most of you know the story already, but for those of you that don't....there it is!
I'll be an E-5 next month.
then I'll be an E-6 in a few months, once I join the Field Band!

thanks for taking the time to read.
Sorry I don't post that much anymore. I know I used to be an avid poster.
I guess I'm just a lazy bastard! :-P

peace out, yallz

Why do I feel like this??: ecstatic

ok, so what's going on...
why are so many famous people dying?!

Isaac Hayes now?!
he was only 65...
so sad..
It's been a rough few months.
Heath Ledger, Tim Russert, George Carlin, Bernie Mac, and now Isaac Hayes?!

Rest in Peace, Isaac...

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/hayes-shaft-singer-and-disco-presage-dies/11835

Why do I feel like this??: confused

Rest in Peace, Bernie Mac...

You're humor and dry wit will be missed...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080809/ap_on_en_mo/obit_bernie_mac

Why do I feel like this??: sad

Apparently they've discovered why Stradivarius violins are so amazing...
dorky music stuff, for those interested!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080702/sc_nm/stradivarius_dc

George Carlin...
DEAD??
what the hell man?!

I was really saddened when I heard the news on the radio this morning.
I remember seeing him a few years ago in Greenville with my parents.
hysterically funny.
I know a lot of people found him to be crass, but the man was just truthful about a lot of things.
I loved his humour, and I will miss him.

Rest in Peace, George...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080623/ap_on_en_tv/obit_george_carlin 

Why do I feel like this??: sad

 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obit_russert

Tim Russert died?!?!
he was only 58! Vibrant!
I loved watching him on the Today Show...
wow.
I'm shocked...
and very sad.

Rest in Peace, Tim... you left us way too early

Why do I feel like this??: sad

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/19246424.html

I can't believe this could happen...

Why do I feel like this??: sad

 

hey all
not gonna write a lot now, but just wanted everyone to know that the three of us are home and everything's going well.
it's was a long 6 days in the hospital, but it's worth it to have this little bundle of joy with us!

I'll update with more info and hopefully pictures later! 

thanks for all the well wishes! 
:-)

Why do I feel like this??: ecstatic

So Erin and I went to the doctor yesterday for our weekly check up...
and they decided to set an induction date...
for NEXT TUESDAY!!!
Holy crap, by this time next week, I'll be a DAD!!

Abigail will be here hopefully next Tuesday!!

so, if any of you guys would like to get photos of the wee one via email, just reply here with your email address and I'll try my damnedest to get them to you as soon as I can!


I'm gonna be a DAD!!!

Why do I feel like this??: ecstatic

Ssssoooo....

it's been like...a decade since I last posted anything of significance.  I will attempt to do so now, but it might be a bit rambly and nonsensical.

For the record, just because I don't post doesn't mean I don't READ.  I try to read through my friends page a few times a week and keep up with all your dirty deeds that done dirt cheap...or something...

Things have been a roller coaster here in beautiful "oh wait, I forgot what f'n SEASON it is" Southeastern Virginia.  
The baby time clock is quickly ticking to the inevitable day when me and Erin are no longer the only people occupying our house (aside from our adorable kitties).  That's right... my parents-in-law are visiting... Just kidding!
but seriously, little Abigail is due in less than three weeks!  I'm gonna be a DAD?! What is THAT all about?!
I'm really nervous but excited at the same time.  Most people probably don't think that I'm that excited about it, but I really am.  It'll be amazing to have this little child that I will be responsible for to mold into a decent human being.
Quite a daunting task!
But I know that with the help of my loving and amazing wife, we will be able to provide a house full of love and joy.
March 4 here we come!

Speaking of babies, I have to welcome Evan Hartlieb into the world!  Nicole's son was born this morning around 4:00 am (what a LONG day yesterday was!) weighing in at 9 lbs 2 ozs!  I can't wait to see him! :-)

Things at work have been crazy.  It's been a lot of ups and downs emotionally and musically.  
Back in October, we took a PT test, and I scored miserably on it.  I passed, but I had the single lowest score in the unit...embarrassing!  
Then I was given the info that I wouldn't be eligible for promotion until I got my PT score up.  Totally shitty, but them's the breaks.
So, I started working with my friend Angie to get a lot better at everything.  I was running all the time, working out, yada yada.  Then she gets pregnant and can't work out anymore... BUMMER! 
So I try to rework my work out regimen so that I can train for another PT test.   I took that test last week...
and I didn't do much better. :-\
I did better, if only slightly, on my push-ups and sit-ups, but worse on the run!  I worked REALLY hard on that run, and hardly worked on the other two.  I was VERY disappointed.  And I'm still not eligible to be promoted.  So, I'll have to kick things up another three notches and kill the test in April.  
It's hard for me though, because working out by myself doesn't quite work.  I need someone to pace me or something.  Don't know why... But I need to jumpstart this shit and get some f'n respect so that I can keep pace with my peers.

I also have been toying with this whole Officer thing.  I've started to take conducting lessons at Old Dominion University from the orchestra director there, Dr. Lucy Manning (who got her DMA from USC...I met her once or twice right before I left for Milwaukee).  She actually has me conducting the orchestra in concert, so that's exciting.  I just hope I can pull it off without looking like a jackass!
Unfortunately, I'm not able to make an audition tape for the next band officer audition.  It's due March 1 and I just have too much crap going on.  Plus, I'm not able to have any time with the band here to rehearse, so that didn't work out.
Sooo... I'm hoping that another audition pops up in September or so because I need to do this.  If I don't at least try for this, I'll be kicking myself in the ass for the rest of my life. 

what else....??

Man, I don't even know.  I just know that my life is going to change forever in the next three weeks, but all for the better.

I hope that you're all doing well, and I hope I can make more frequent updates.  I just don't have a drive to write like I used to.  Ah well!

Peace out, yallz

Why do I feel like this??: sleepy

Here's an interesting article about music education from the NY Times.
Please take the time and read it and discuss. I could use some stimulating debate!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/arts/music/25musi.html?ex=1356498000&en=7a00b5eb1f32c64e&ei=5124&partner=facebook&exprod=facebook 

I know I  haven't updated in a long time. 
I'm sorry!
I've been uber busy trying to be all Army and junk... and with the baby on the way and all that I've been really at a lose for time to update! I do read a lot, but I just don't have the...talent for writing much anymore... kinda sad I know.
I'll try to make a post soon about everything that's been going on...

Why do I feel like this??: busy

Karlheinz Stockhausen died Wednesday at the age of 79.
An influential composer, I remember learning about him in college and immediately loving his work.
New, fresh, different...and weird. But amazing music. So many people, in both the classical and pop worlds, were influenced by Stockhausen.

He will be missed.

Rest in Peace, Karlheinz...


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071208/ap_on_re_eu/obit_stockhausen_7

Why do I feel like this??: sad

motherf***ing Gamecocks...

*hangs his head*

Why do I feel like this??: disappointed